System and method for providing recommendations for in-game events

ABSTRACT

Recommendations for in-game content are provided to players of an online game. An instance of a virtual space is executed in which an online game is conducted and implemented to facilitate presentation of a view of the virtual space to users through client computing platforms associated with the users. Device specification sets of the client computing devices are determined and recommendations for in-game content are presented to the users based on the obtained device specification sets of the client computing devices associated with the users.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to systems and method for providingrecommendations to users of a game based on the capabilities andspecification of the client devices used to access the game.

BACKGROUND

Different classes of devices such as laptops, tablet computers, gamingconsoles, smartphones, smart TVs and/or other classes of devices mayhave technical capabilities that are different from one another. Forexample, laptop computers may have different technical capabilities thansmartphones, such as different processing and graphical displaycapabilities. Furthermore, different types of devices within a givenclass of device may have different capabilities from one another. Forexample, a particular model of smartphone may have different technicalcapabilities than another model of smartphone, such as different screenresolutions, processing capabilities and/or connectivity capabilities.

Different devices may have different input mechanisms, such as gesturecontrols, voice controls, touch controls (e.g., soft or mechanicalbuttons), joysticks, gamepads, and/or other input mechanism. Thedifferent input mechanisms may each have different characteristics thatlends better to certain game activity or content than others.

Leveraging the differences in the capabilities of the devices forgameplay of a game may provide dynamic gaming experiences for usersdepending on the class and/or type of device used to access the game.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure relates to providing recommendations tousers of a game based on the specification of the client device used bythe users to access the game. Recommendations of content may be providedto users of a game based on the specification of the client device usedby the users to access the game. Recommendations may be providedautomatically to users of the game. For example, recommendations may beautomatically provided by the system for providing recommendations tousers of a game. Systems for providing recommendations of content toplayers of an online game may be configured to determine thespecification sets of device a user is using to access the game. Thesystem may be capable of obtaining and/or determining the minimumthreshold requirements of sets of content and provide recommendations tousers of in-game content to users based on the obtained and/ordetermined minimum threshold requirements of the sets of in-game contentand the specification sets of the device a user is using to access theonline game. The recommended content may include actions or activitieswithin the game such as attacking an enemy, gathering troops, securingresources, performing research, training troops, playing certain gamelevels, attending virtual meetings, and/or other actions or activities.The recommended content may include virtual items usable in the game,virtual services that can be acquired/used, virtual locations that maybe visited and/or purchased, and/or other content that is usable in thegame. The recommended content may include content external to the game,such as websites, forums, other games, videos, chat rooms, e-commercewebsites and/or applications, and/or other content external to the game.

The user may access the game using a client computing device having atouchscreen input system. Typing on touchscreen devices may not be aseasy or convenient as a device having a physical keyboard. The systemmay present the user, using a touchscreen device, a recommendation foran activity or action that does not require extensive typing. When usingsuch devices, the recommended activities presented to users may includethose that can be easily controlled or otherwise interacted with usinggestures on the touch screen or voice controls. On the other hand, thesystem may provide a player using a laptop computer to play the gamewith a recommendation related to activities or actions that arecontrolled or otherwise interacted with using typed commands.

Users using devices having greater processing capabilities may bepresented with recommendations for activities or actions which have ahigher degree of complicated gameplay or require better graphicalcapabilities compared to devices having less processing capabilities.Additionally, larger devices may have input devices or mechanisms thatare better suited to using both of the user's hands when interactingwith the game. The system may recommend to users of such devicesactivities and/or actions which are better suited to using two hands.

In some implementations, the system may include one or more servers. Theserver(s) may be configured to communicate with one or more clientcomputing platforms according to a client/server architecture. The usersmay access the system and/or a virtual space (e.g., a virtual world, agame space, etc.) via the client computing platforms.

The server(s) and/or client computer platforms may be configured toexecute one or more computer program components to providerecommendations to users. The computer program components may includeone or more of a game component, a device specification determinationcomponent, a content recommendation component, and/or other components.

The game component may configured to execute an instance of a virtualspace in which a game is conducted, and to implement the instance tofacilitate presentation of a view of the virtual space to users throughclient computing devices associated with the users, users including afirst user associated with a first client computing device. Such gamesmay be an online game. The instance of the virtual space may be executedon a server in electrical connection with a client computing device,where a presentation of the virtual space is facilitated through theclient computing devices. Users may use the client computing device tocontrol actions within the virtual space. The client computing devicemay be electrically connected to the server through a network. Thenetwork may include one or more of a local area network, the internet, awireless network, a wired network, and/or other networks.

In other examples, the game component may be configured to execute aninstance of a virtual space in which a game is conducted, and toimplement the instance to facilitate presentation of a view of thevirtual space to users through the client computing devices associatedwith the users including a first user associated with a first clientcomputing device.

A device specification determination component may be configured toobtain device specification sets of the client computing devicesassociated with the users, such that a first device specification set isdetermined for the first client computing device. Device specificationsets may include information regarding the client computing devicespecifications. Such information may include processing ability, userinput mechanisms, graphical display information, screen size, age,number of previous users, storage capacity, location, connectivityoptions and/or other information related to the client computing device.

The content recommendation component may be configured to determinerecommendations in the game for the users based on the obtained devicespecification sets, and to effectuate communication of therecommendations to the users, such that the content recommendationcomponent determines a first recommendation in the game for the firstuser based on the first device specification set, and to effectuatecommunication of the first recommendation to the first user. Suchdetermination and communication of recommendations may occurautomatically within the system.

The first recommendation may be an offer to interact with specificcontent in the game, purchase a virtual item, establish a relationshipwith one or more other users, and/or one or more other actions. Thefirst recommendation may be an offer to participate in activities in thegame suited to the interface of the first client computing device. Thefirst recommendation may be an offer to participate in activities suitedto the processing and/or storage capabilities of the first clientcomputing device. The recommendation may be an invitation to participatein one or more event sets associated with the online game.

The first recommendation may be an offer to participate in activitiessuited to the input capabilities of the first client computing device.The input capabilities of the first client computing device may includeone or more of a touchscreen, a keyboard, a joystick, a directionalpointing device, a controller, a remote control, a gesture recognitiondevice, a video input device, an audio input device, and/or any otherinput device. For example, where the input capabilities of the firstclient computing device include a touch screen, the first recommendationmay be an offer to participate in activities suited to interactions bythe first user through a touchscreen, such as an activity adapted toclient computing devices that typically have touchscreen input devicesand require the user to interact with the game through a swiping motionor touching a particular area of the screen. As another example, wherethe input capabilities of the first client computing device include akeyboard, the first recommendation may be an offer to participate inactivities suited to interactions by the first user though a keyboard,such as online chatting and/or typing various commands.

The first recommendation may be an offer to purchase one or more virtualitems having an associated cost to the user. The associated cost to theuser may be related to the device specification sets of the clientcomputing devices associated with the users, such that the associatedcost to the user for the offer to purchase one or more virtual items isrelated to the one or more device specification sets of the clientcomputing devices associated with the first user. For example, thedevice specification set associated with a client computing deviceassociated with the first user may include information related to thepropensity of the user to make in-game purchases, such as purchasingvirtual items, using that given client computing device. Such a clientcomputing device may have one or more input devices or communicationdevices making it easier to purchase items with it, such as a keyboard,access to the internet or some other specification. The client computingdevice may have stored information related to the users purchasemechanisms, such as credit card information, bank account information,online payment system information, and/or other payment information ofthe first user indicating a propensity to make purchases using the givenclient computing device.

The associated user cost of the in-game purchase may be based upon thedevice specification sets and may be modified based upon the devicespecification sets of the client computing devices associated with thefirst user. For example, the user component may include informationrelated to the user's client computing devices. Users having moreexpensive client computing devices, or users having two or more clientcomputing device which are used to access the online game may be more orless likely to make in-game purchases. Accordingly, the associated usercost of the in-game purchase may be increased, or decreased, in order toincentivize the user to make in-game purchases.

In other implementations, the user component may include a first useraccount wherein the first user account includes information related tothe client computing devices associated with the user and used to accessthe online game. Upon an indication that the user has a higherpropensity to make in-game purchases using a first client computingdevice associated with the user compared to other client computingdevices associated with the user, the content recommendation componentmay be configured to determine recommendations for in-game contentaccessible by the first client computing device in order to increase thelikelihood that the user will make an in-game purchase.

The device specification determination component may be furtherconfigured to determine a second device specification set for a secondclient computing device associated with the first user. In response to adetermination of the second device specification set for a second clientcomputing device, the content recommendation component may be furtherconfigured to determine a second recommendation in the game for thefirst user based on the second device specification set, and toeffectuate communication of the second recommendation to the first user.Where there are first and second device specification sets for first andsecond client computing devices associated with the user, the firstrecommendation and the second recommendation may be an offer toparticipate in an activity suited to the specification sets for thefirst client device and the second client device, such that both thefirst client device and second client device may be used simultaneouslyand/or interchangeably by the user when participating in the activity.

Where there are two client computing devices associated with the firstuser, one of the client computing devices may be the main clientcomputing device and the second client computing device may be anauxiliary client computing device. The main client computing device mayhave superior computing and/or graphical capabilities than the auxiliaryclient computing device. As such, the first recommendation for thefirst, or main, client computing device may be an activity whichrequires superior computing capabilities, for example, the main gameplay. The second recommendation for the second, or auxiliary, clientcomputing device may be an activity which requires less computingcapabilities, for example, a mini-game, map, chat room, message boardand/or other activity associated with the main game play.

These and other features, and characteristics of the present technology,as well as the methods of operation and functions of the relatedelements of structure and the combination of parts and economies ofmanufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description and the appended claims with reference to theaccompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification,wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in thevarious figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that thedrawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only andare not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As usedin the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”,and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a system configured to provide recommendations forin-game events to players of an online game, in accordance with one ormore implementations.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a user interacting with the system ofFIG. 1 , in accordance with one or more implementations.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates users interacting with the system ofFIG. 1 , in accordance with one or more implementations.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method for providing recommendations for in-gameevents to players of an online game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Recommendations of content may be provided to users of a game based onthe specification of the client device used by the users to access thegame. Such recommendations may be provided to users automatically.Systems for providing recommendations of content to players of an onlinegame may be configured to determine the specification sets of device auser is using to access the game. The system may be capable of obtainingand/or determining the minimum threshold requirements of sets of contentand provide recommendations to users of in-game content to users basedon the obtained and/or determined minimum threshold requirements of thesets of in-game content and the specification sets of the device a useris using to access the online game. The recommended content may includeactions or activities within the game such as attacking an enemy,gathering troops, securing resources, performing research, trainingtroops, playing certain game levels, attending virtual meetings, and/orother actions or activities. The recommended content may include virtualitems usable in the game, virtual services that can be acquired/used,virtual locations that may be visited and/or purchased, and/or othercontent that is usable in the game. The recommended content may includecontent external to the game, such as websites, forums, other games,videos, chat rooms, e-commerce websites and/or applications, and/orother content external to the game.

The specification sets of the client computing devices may includeinformation regarding the processing capacity, graphical processingcapacity, screen size, screen dimension information, visual capabilityinformation, hard drive capacity, input device capabilities,connectivity capabilities, data input capabilities, a quantification ofthe ease of portability of the client computing device, and/or otherfeature information about the client computing devices. Thespecification sets of the client computing devices may also includeinformation relating to the expense of the client computing device, theamount of purchases made by the user through the client computingdevice, information regarding browsing history or event history of theuser through the client computing device, information regarding devicesassociated with the client computing device such as other clientcomputing devices, information regarding other users utilizing theclient computing device, and/or other information regarding the clientcomputing device.

As an illustrative example of the system only, the user may access theonline game using a client computing device having a touchscreen inputsystem. Typing on touchscreen devices may not be as easy or convenientas doing so through a physical keyboard. The system may automatically,or otherwise, present the user, using a touchscreen device, arecommendation for an activity or action that does not require extensivetyping. When using such devices, the recommended activities presented tousers may include those that can be easily controlled or otherwiseinteracted with using gestures on the touch screen and/or voicecontrols. On the other hand, the system may provide a player using alaptop computer to play the game with a recommendation related toactivities or actions that are controlled or otherwise interacted withusing typed commands.

As another illustrative example of the system only, users using deviceshaving greater processing capabilities may be automatically presentedwith recommendations for activities or actions which have a higherdegree of complicated gameplay and/or require increased processingcapabilities and/or increased graphical capabilities compared to deviceshaving less processing capabilities. Additionally, larger devices mayhave input devices or mechanisms that are better suited to using both ofthe user's hands when interacting with the game as opposed to smalldevices suited to receiving inputs from the use of only one hand and/orfinger(s) of the user. The system may recommend to users of largerdevices activities and/or actions which are better suited to using twohands, and may recommend to users of smaller devices activities and/oractions which are better suited to using only one hand and/or finger(s).

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 for providing in-game content to playersof an online game. The system 100 may be configured to determine thespecification(s) of the client computing device 104 used by users of theonline game to access the game. The system 100 may be configured toprovide an online space to users to participate within the online game.Providing the virtual space may include hosting the virtual space over anetwork. In some implementations, system 100 may include a server(s)102. The server 102 may be configured to communicate with one or moreclient computing platforms 104 according to a client/serverarchitecture. The users may access system 100 and/or the virtual spacevia client computing platforms 104.

In some implementations, system 100 may include one or more of one ormore virtual space servers 102, one or more system servers (not shown),and/or other components. The virtual space server 12 may be configuredto communicate with one or more client computing platforms 104 accordingto a client/server architecture to provide the virtual[environment/space] to users via the client computing platforms 104. Thesystem server (not shown) may be configured to interface with virtualspace server 102 to supplement the functionality provided to the userswith respect to the virtual space. For example, system server (notshown) may interface with virtual server 12 via one or more applicationprogramming interfaces.

The server(s) 102 may be configured to execute one or more computerprogram components. The computer program components may include one ormore of a game component 108, a user component 110, and devicespecification determination component 112, a content recommendationcomponent 114, and/or other components.

The user component 110 may be configured to access and/or manage one ormore user profiles and/or user information associated with users of thesystem 100. The one or more user profiles and/or user information mayinclude information stored by server(s) 102, one or more of the clientcomputing platforms 104, and/or other storage locations. The userprofiles may include, for example, information identifying users (e.g.,a username or handle, a number, an identifier, and/or other identifyinginformation) within the virtual space, security login information (e.g.,a login code or password), virtual space account information,subscription information, virtual currency account information (e.g.,related to currency held in credit for a user), relationship information(e.g., information related to relationships between users in the virtualspace), virtual space usage information, demographic informationassociated with users, interaction history among users in the virtualspace, information stated by users, purchase information of users,browsing history of users, a client computing platform identificationassociated with a user, a phone number associated with a user, and/orother information related to users.

The user profiles and/or user information associated with users of thesystem 100 may include information related to the client computingdevices associated with users. Users may provide an indication of theclient computing devices owned and/or operated by the users to thesystem 100. The system 100 may be configured to obtain identifyinginformation related to the client computing devices associated with theusers when, for example, the user uses his or her associated computingdevices to access the online game through the system 100. The userprofiles and/or user information associated with the users of the systemmay include information related to content preferences of the user. Thesystem 100 may be configured to obtain content preference informationfor users based on user inputs. The system 100 may be configured toobtain content preference information for users based on historical userof the system 100 by the user, use of the client computing devicegenerally by the user, and/or from other sources of informationregarding the user's online and/or gaming behavior.

The game component 108 may be configured to execute an instance of avirtual space in which an online game is conducted, and to implement theinstance to facilitate presentation of a view of the virtual space tousers through one or more client computing devices 104 associated withthe users, users including a first user associated with a first clientcomputing device 104.

The game component 108 may be configured to implement the instance ofthe virtual space executed by the computer components to determine thestate of the virtual space. The state may then be communicated (e.g.,via streaming visual data, via object/position data, and/or other stateinformation) from server 102 to client computing platforms 104 forpresentation to users. The state determined and transmitted to a givenclient computing platform 104 may correspond to a view for a usercharacter being controlled by a user via the given client computingplatform 104. The state determined and transmitted to a given clientcomputing platform 104 may correspond to a location in the virtualspace. The view described by the state for the given client computingplatform may correspond, for example, to the location from which theview is taken, the location the view depicts, and/or other locations, azoom ratio, a dimensionality of objects, a point-of-view, and/or viewparameters of the view. One or more of the view parameters may beselectable by the user.

The instance of the virtual space may comprise a simulated space that isaccessible by users via clients (e.g., client computing platforms 104)that present the views of the virtual space to a user. The simulatedspace may have a topography, express ongoing real-time interaction byone or more users, and/or include one or more objects positioned withinthe topography that are capable of locomotion within the topography. Insome instances, the topography may be a 2-dimensional topography. Inother instances, the topography may be a 3-dimensional topography. Thetopography may include dimensions of the space, and/or surface featuresof a surface or objects that are “native” to the space. In someinstances, the topography may describe a surface (e.g., a groundsurface) that runs through at least a substantial portion of the space.In some instances, the topography may describe a volume with one or morebodies positioned therein (e.g., a simulation of gravity-deprived spacewith one or more celestial bodies positioned therein). The instanceexecuted by the computer components may be synchronous, asynchronous,and/or semi-synchronous.

The above description of the manner in which state of the virtual spaceis determined by game component 108 is not intended to be limiting. Thegame component 108 may be configured to express the virtual space in amore limited, or more rich, manner. For example, views determined forthe virtual space representing the state of the instance of the virtualspace may be selected from a limited set of graphics depicting an eventin a given place within the virtual space. The views may includeadditional content (e.g., text, audio, pre-stored video content, and/orother content) that describes particulars of the current state of theplace, beyond the relatively generic graphics. For example, a view mayinclude a generic battle graphic with a textual description of theopponents to be confronted. Other expressions of individual placeswithin the virtual space are contemplated.

Within the instance(s) of the virtual space executed by game component108, users may control characters, objects, simulated physical phenomena(e.g., wind, rain, earthquakes, and/or other phenomena), and/or otherelements within the virtual space to interact with the virtual spaceand/or each other. The user characters may include avatars. As usedherein, the term “user character” may refer to an object (or group ofobjects) present in the virtual space that represents an individualuser. The user character may be controlled by the user with which it isassociated. The user controlled element(s) may move through and interactwith the virtual space (e.g., non-user characters in the virtual space,other objects in the virtual space). The user controlled elementscontrolled by and/or associated with a given user may be created and/orcustomized by the given user. The user may have an “inventory” ofvirtual goods and/or currency that the user can use (e.g., bymanipulation of a user character or other user controlled element,and/or other items) within the virtual space.

The users may participate in the instance of the virtual space bycontrolling one or more of the available user controlled elements in thevirtual space. Control may be exercised through control inputs and/orcommands input by the users through client computing platforms 104. Theusers may interact with each other through communications exchangedwithin the virtual space. Such communications may include one or more oftextual chat, instant messages, private messages, voice communications,and/or other communications. Communications may be received and enteredby the users via their respective client computing platforms 104.Communications may be routed to and from the appropriate users throughserver(s) 102 (e.g., through game component 108).

Interactive, electronic social media may include one or more of a socialnetwork, a virtual space, a micro-blogging service, a blog service (orhost), a browser-based game, a multi-player mobile game, a file (e.g.,image file, video file, and/or other files) sharing service, a messagingservice, a message board, a forum, and/or other electronicallydistributed media that are scalable and enable interaction between theusers. Some non-limiting specific examples of interactive, electronicsocial media may include the micro-blogging service provided byTwitter™, the social network provided by Facebook™, the social networkprovided by MySpace™, the social network provided by Foursquare®, thevirtual world provided by SecondLife®, the massively multi-player onlinegame provided by World of Warcraft®, the file sharing service providedby Flickr®, Blogger, YouTube, PlayStation® Home, Xbox® Live, and/orother interactive electronic social media.

As recited above, the game component 108 may be configured to execute aninstance of a virtual space in which a game is conducted, and toimplement the instance to facilitate presentation of a view of thevirtual space to users through client computing devices 104 associatedwith the users, users including a first user associated with a firstclient computing device 104. Such games may be an online game. Theinstance of the virtual space may be executed on a server 102 inelectrical connection with a client computing device 104, where apresentation of the virtual space is facilitated through the clientcomputing devices 104. Users may use the client computing device 104 tocontrol actions within the virtual space. The client computing device104 may be electrically connected to the server 102 through a network.The network may include one or more of a local area network, theinternet, a wireless network, a wired network, and/or other networks.

In other examples, the game component 108 may be configured to executean instance of a virtual space in which a game is conducted, and toimplement the instance to facilitate presentation of a view of thevirtual space to users through the client computing devices 104associated with the users including a first user associated with a firstclient computing device.

A device specification determination component 110 may be configured toobtain device specification sets of the client computing devices 104associated with the users, such that a first device specification set isdetermined for the first client computing device 104. Devicespecification sets may include information regarding the clientcomputing device specifications. Such information may include processingability, user input mechanisms 106, graphical display information,screen size, age, number of previous users, storage capacity, location,connectivity options and/or other information related to the clientcomputing device 104.

The content recommendation component 114 may be configured to determinerecommendations in the game for the users based on the obtained devicespecification sets, and to effectuate communication of therecommendations to the users, such that the content recommendationcomponent 114 determines a first recommendation in the game for thefirst user based on the first device specification set, and toeffectuate communication of the first recommendation to the first user.Determination and communication of such recommendations may beautomatic, such that, based on the obtained device specification sets,the content recommendation component 114 may be configured toautomatically determine recommendations in the game for users, and toautomatically effectuate communication of the recommendations to theusers.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a first user 202 and a second user 204interacting with the system 100 of FIG. 1 , in accordance with one ormore implementations. A first client computing device 206 may beassociated with the first user 202. The first client computing device206 may have a screen 208 and a keyboard 210. The screen 208 may beconfigured to facilitate presentation of the virtual space 212implemented by the game component 108 of FIG. 1 . The devicespecification determination component 110 of FIG. 1 may be configured toobtain a first device specification set of the first client computingdevice 206 associated with the first user 202. The first devicespecification set may include information regarding the first clientcomputing device 206 such as the input device of the first clientcomputing device 206 is a keyboard 210. The first device specificationset may also include information regarding the specification of thescreen 208, such as its dimensions, its resolution, its color displaycapabilities, its frame-rate capabilities, and/or other informationregarding the screen 208. The first device specification set may alsoinclude information regarding the processing capabilities of the firstclient computing device 206.

The content recommendation component 114 may be configured toautomatically determine a first recommendation in the game for one ormore first event sets to recommend to the first user 202 based on theobtained first device specification set of the first client computingdevice 206. The content recommendation component 114 may be configuredto automatically effectuate communication of the recommendations to thefirst user 202. The recommended event sets may include an activity wherethe first user 202 interacts with the game, another game, externalonline content, and/or other content, through the first client computingdevice 206. Based on the first device specification set containinginformation regarding the screen 208, input device 210, processingcapabilities, and/or other features of the first client computingdevice, the content recommendation component 114 may determinerecommendations suited for the first client computing device 206. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 2 , the first client computing device 206comprises a relatively small screen 208 and a keyboard 210.Recommendations, as determined by the content recommendation component114 may include content suitable for a smaller screen and keyboard-typeinput device. For example, the content recommendation component 114 mayrecommend to the first user 202 text-based activities, such astext-based communication with other users of the game and/or non-playercharacters of the game, to play using the first client computing device206.

A second client computing device 214 may be associated with the seconduser 204 of the system 100, of FIG. 1 . The second client computingdevice may comprise a touchscreen 216. The device specificationdetermination component 112 may be configured to determine a seconddevice specification set relating to the second client computing device214. The second device specification set may include informationregarding the second client computing device 214 such as informationregarding the input device of the second client computing device 214,the size, dimensions, and capabilities of the screen 216 of the secondclient device 214, and/or other information about the capabilitiesand/or features of the second client device 214. The second devicespecification set may also include information regarding the processingcapabilities of the second client computing device 214.

The content recommendation component 114 may be configured toautomatically determine a second recommendation in the game for one ormore second event sets to recommend to the second user 204 based on theobtained second device specification set of the second client computingdevice 214. The content recommendation component 114 may be configuredto automatically effectuate communication of the recommendations to thesecond user 204. The one or more second event sets may be event setssuitable for the second client computing device 214. For example, asshown in FIG. 2 , the second client computing device 214 may comprise ofa relatively large touchscreen 216. The one or more second event setsmay include one or more activities suitable for interaction, by thesecond user 204, through a touchscreen 216, such as selecting areas 218to interact with the touchscreen 216 to select an object in the virtualspace presented through the touchscreen 216, or effectuate movement of acharacter or view on the touchscreen 216, or equip a character withdifferent armaments, defenses, clothing, and/or other attributes. Theone or more second event sets may include activities requiringprocessing capabilities suitable for the second client computing device214. For example, the processing capabilities of the second clientcomputing device 214 may be greater than the processing capabilities ofthe first client computing device 206. The one or more first event setsrecommended to the first user 202 may, therefore, require lessprocessing power than the one or more second event sets recommended tothe second user 204, based on the respective first and second devicespecification sets of the first and second client computing devices 206,214.

The first recommendation may be an offer to interact with specificcontent in the game, purchase a virtual item, establish a relationshipwith one or more other users, and/or one or more other actions. Thefirst recommendation may be an offer to participate in activities in thegame suited to the interface of the first client computing device. Thefirst recommendation may be an offer to participate in activities suitedto the processing and/or storage capabilities of the first clientcomputing device.

The first recommendation may be an offer to participate in activitiessuited to the input capabilities of the input device 106 of the firstclient computing device 104. The input capabilities 106 of the firstclient computing device 104 may include one or more of a touchscreen, akeyboard, a joystick, a directional pointing device, a controller, aremote control, a gesture recognition device, a video input device, anaudio input device, and/or any other input device. The input device maybe connected to the client communication platform through one or moreelectronic connections, including wired and wireless connections. Wherethe input capabilities 106 of the first client computing device 104include a touch screen, the first recommendation may be an offer toparticipate in activities suited to interactions by the first userthrough a touchscreen, such as an activity adapted to client computingdevices that typically have touchscreen input devices 104 and requirethe user to interact with the game through a swiping motion or touchinga particular area of the screen. As another example, where the inputcapabilities 106 of the first client computing device 104 include akeyboard, the first recommendation may be an offer to participate inactivities suited to interactions by the first user though a keyboard,such as online chatting and/or typing various commands.

Users may receive the recommendation of the one or more event setsthrough the implementation of the virtual space presented by the clientcomputing devices associated with the users. Such recommendation may bedisplayed as a pop-up message, in a message pane of the interfaceassociated with the online game, or a notification provided in anin-game mailbox, and/or other in-game notification methods.Recommendations may be provided externally from the game such as in theform of electronic mail, SMS messaging, instant messaging, social mediaposts and/or messages, viral messages, online video, postal services,and/or other notification methods.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the first user 302 may be associated with multipleclient computing devices 304, 306. The device specificationdetermination component 112 may be configured to determine a firstdevice specification set for the first client computing device 304associated with the first user 302 and determine a second devicespecification set for the second client computing device 306 associatedwith the first user 302.

The content recommendation component 114 may be configured to determinerecommendations in the game for one or more first event sets torecommend to the first user 302 based on the obtained first devicespecification set of the first client computing device 304 and todetermine recommendations in the game for one or more second event setsto recommend to the first user 302 based on the obtained second devicespecification set of the second client computing device 306. In someembodiments, the one or more second event sets may be related to the oneor more first event sets, such that the one or more second event setscompliment or augment the one or more first event sets. The contentrecommendation component 114 may provide recommendations in the game forone or more first and second event sets to the first user 302. Suchrecommendations may be determined and communicated automatically by thesystem 100 through the one or more client computing devices 104.

The one or more first event sets may be determined based on theirsuitability for being interacted with, by the first user 302, throughthe first client computing device 304. Similarly, the one or more secondevent sets may be determined based on their suitability for beinginteracted with, by the first user 302, through the second clientcomputing device 306. The first client computing device 304 and thesecond client computing device 306 may be used interchangeably,simultaneously, or alternatively to interact with the online game. Insome embodiments, the first client computing device 304 may have a firstspecification set indicating that it is capable of running a main gameprovided by system 100 of FIG. 1 . The second client computing device306 may have a second specification set indicating that it is capable ofrunning only a sub-set of the main game provided by system 100 of FIG. 1. As such, the first client computing device 304 may be the maincomputing device capable of hosting an implementation of the onlinegame, and the second client computing device 306 may be an auxiliaryclient computing device capable of hosting a portion of the online game,such as a map, character information, chat interface, or other portionof the online game.

The main client computing device 304 may have superior computing and/orgraphical capabilities than the auxiliary client computing device 306.For example, the screen 314 of the main client computing device 304 maybe larger than the screen 316 of the auxiliary client computing device306. As such, the first recommendation for the first, or main, clientcomputing device 304 may be for one or more first event sets whichrequire superior computing capabilities and/or graphical capabilitiescompared the one or more second event sets, for example, the main gameplay of the online game provided by system 100. The secondrecommendation for the second, or auxiliary, client computing device 306of one or more second event sets may be an activity which may requireless computing capabilities and or graphical capabilities than the oneor more first event sets, for example, a mini-game, map, chat room,message board and/or other activity associated with the main game play.Additionally, the auxiliary client computing device 306 may include atouch screen input device 316. The second recommendation for the second,or auxiliary client computing device 306 may be an activity which issuited to interaction by the user through a touch screen input device316.

The main client computing device 304 may have superior user inputdevices, such as a physical keyboard 308, mouse 310, or joystick 312.The device specification sets determined for the main client computingdevice 304 may include an indication that the client computing device304 includes a keyboard 308, mouse 310 and a joystick 312. Based on thedevice specification set for the main client computing device 304, thecontent recommendation component 114 may provide a first recommendationin the game for the first user that includes content suited tointeraction with a keyboard 308, mouse 310 and/or joystick 312.

The server(s) 102, client computing platforms 104, and/or externalresources 116 may be operatively linked via one or more electroniccommunication links. For example, such electronic communication linksmay be established, at least in part, via a network such as the Internetand/or other networks. It will be appreciated that this is not intendedto be limiting, and that the scope of this disclosure includesimplementations in which servers 102, client computing platforms 104,and/or external resources 116 may be operatively linked via some othercommunication media.

A given client computing platform 104 may include one or more processorsconfigured to execute computer program components. The computer programcomponents may be configured to enable an expert or user associated withthe given client computing platform 104 to interface with system 100and/or external resources 116, and/or provide other functionalityattributed herein to client computing platforms 104. By way ofnon-limiting example, the given client computing platform 104 mayinclude one or more of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a handheldcomputer, a tablet computing platform, a NetBook, a Smartphone, a gamingconsole, and/or other computing platforms.

The external resources 116 may include sources of information, hostsand/or providers of virtual environments outside of system 100, externalentities participating with system 100, and/or other resources. In someimplementations, some or all of the functionality attributed herein toexternal resources 116 may be provided by resources included in system100.

The server(s) 102 may include electronic storage 118, one or moreprocessors 120, and/or other components. The server 102 may includecommunication lines, or ports to enable the exchange of information witha network and/or other computing platforms. Illustration of server 102in FIG. 1 is not intended to be limiting. The server 102 may include aplurality of hardware, software, and/or firmware components operatingtogether to provide the functionality attributed herein to server 102.For example, server 102 may be implemented by a cloud of computingplatforms operating together as server 102.

Electronic storage 118 may comprise electronic storage media thatelectronically stores information. The electronic storage media ofelectronic storage 118 may include one or both of system storage that isprovided integrally (i.e., substantially non-removable) with server 102and/or removable storage that is removably connectable to server 102via, for example, a port (e.g., a USB port, a firewire port, etc.) or adrive (e.g., a disk drive, etc.). Electronic storage 118 may include oneor more of optically readable storage media (e.g., optical disks, etc.),magnetically readable storage media (e.g., magnetic tape, magnetic harddrive, floppy drive, etc.), electrical charge-based storage media (e.g.,EEPROM, RAM, etc.), solid-state storage media (e.g., flash drive, etc.),and/or other electronically readable storage media. The electronicstorage 118 may include one or more virtual storage resources (e.g.,cloud storage, a virtual private network, and/or other virtual storageresources). Electronic storage 118 may store software algorithms,information determined by processor 120, information received fromserver 102, information received from client computing platforms 104,and/or other information that enables server 102 to function asdescribed herein.

Processor(s) 120 is configured to provide information processingcapabilities in server 102. As such, processor 118 may include one ormore of a digital processor, an analog processor, a digital circuitdesigned to process information, an analog circuit designed to processinformation, a state machine, and/or other mechanisms for electronicallyprocessing information. Although processor 120 is shown in FIG. 1 as asingle entity, this is for illustrative purposes only. In someimplementations, processor 120 may include a plurality of processingunits. These processing units may be physically located within the samedevice, or processor 120 may represent processing functionality of aplurality of devices operating in coordination. The processor 120 may beconfigured to execute components 108, 110, 112, 114 and/or othercomponents. Processor 120 may be configured to execute components 108,110, 112, 114 and/or other components by software; hardware; firmware;some combination of software, hardware, and/or firmware; and/or othermechanisms for configuring processing capabilities on processor 120.

It should be appreciated that although components 108, 110, 112, 114 areillustrated in FIG. 1 as being co-located within a single processingunit, in implementations in which processor 120 includes multipleprocessing units, one or more of components 108, 110, 112, 114 and/orother components may be located remotely from the other components. Thedescription of the functionality provided by the different components108, 110, 112, 114 and/or other components described below is forillustrative purposes, and is not intended to be limiting, as any ofcomponents 108, 110, 112, 114 and/or other components may provide moreor less functionality than is described. For example, one or more ofcomponents 108, 110, 112, 114 and/or other components may be eliminated,and some or all of its functionality may be provided by other ones ofcomponents 108, 110, 112, 114 and/or other components. As anotherexample, processor 120 may be configured to execute one or moreadditional components that may perform some or all of the functionalityattributed below to one of components 108, 110, 112, 114 and/or othercomponents.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method 400 of providing recommendations for in-gameevents to players of an online game. The method 400 may implemented on acomputer system that includes one or more physical processors. Theoperations of method 400 presented below are intended to beillustrative. In some embodiments, method 400 may be accomplished withone or more additional operations not described, and/or without one ormore of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which theoperations of method 400 are illustrated in FIG. 4 and described belowis not intended to be limiting.

In some embodiments, method 400 may be implemented in one or moreprocessing devices (e.g., a digital processor, an analog processor, adigital circuit designed to process information, an analog circuitdesigned to process information, a state machine, and/or othermechanisms for electronically processing information). The one or moreprocessing devices may include one or more devices executing some or allof the operations of method 400 in response to instructions storedelectronically on an electronic storage medium. The one or moreprocessing devices may include one or more devices configured throughhardware, firmware, and/or software to be specifically designed forexecution of one or more of the operations of method 400.

At an operation 402, an instance of a virtual space may be executed andimplemented. An online game may be conducted in the instance of thevirtual space. The instance may be implemented in order to facilitatepresentation of a view of the virtual space to users through clientcomputing devices 104 associated with the users, users including a firstuser associated with a first client computing device 104. Operation 402may be performed by a game component that is the same as or similar togame component 108, in accordance with one or more implementations.

At an operation 404, device specification sets of the client computingdevices 104 associated with the users may be obtained, such that a firstdevice specification set is determined for the first client computingdevice 104. Operation 404 may be performed by a device specificationdetermination component that is the same as or similar to devicespecification determination component 112, in accordance with one ormore implementations.

At an operation 406, recommendations in the game for the users based onthe obtained device specification sets may be determined. Suchdetermination may be automatic. Operation 406 may be performed by acontent recommendation component that is the same as or similar tocontent recommendation component 114, in accordance with one or moreimplementations.

At an operation 408, communication of the recommendations may beeffectuated to the users, such that a first recommendation in the gamefor the first user may be determined based on the first devicespecification set, and communication of the first recommendation to thefirst user is effectuated. Such communication may be automaticallyeffectuated. Operation 408 may be performed by a content recommendationcomponent that is the same as or similar to content recommendationcomponent 114, in accordance with one or more implementations.

Examples of the first recommendation may include one or more of thefollowing: an offer to interact with specific content in the game,purchase a virtual item, establish a relationship with one or more otherusers, and/or one or more other actions; an offer to participate inactivities in the game suited to the interface of the first clientcomputing device; or, an offer to participate in activities suited tothe processing and/or storage capabilities of the first client computingdevice. The offers and recommendations herein described are notinclusive and are intended to be illustrative only. One of ordinaryskill in the art would appreciate and understand that the firstrecommendation may include any number of types of different offers.

At an operation 404 a second device specification set may be determinedfor a second client computing device associated with the first user. Atan operation 406 a second recommendation in the game may be determinedfor the first user based on the second device specification set. At anoperation 408 communication of the second recommendation to the firstuser may be effectuated. The first recommendation and the secondrecommendation may be an offer to participate in an activity suited tothe specification sets for the first client device 304 and the secondclient device 306, such that both the first client device 304 and secondclient device 306 may be used simultaneously and/or interchangeably whenparticipating in the activity.

The first recommendation may be an offer to participate in activitiessuited to the input capabilities of the first client computing device104. The input capabilities of the first client computing device 104 mayinclude a touch screen, such that the first recommendation is an offerto participate in activities suited to interactions by the first userthrough a touchscreen. The first recommendation may be an offer topurchase one or more virtual items having an associated cost to theuser. The associated cost to the user may be related to the devicespecification sets of the client computing devices 104 associated withthe users, such that the associated cost to the user for the offer topurchase one or more virtual items is related to the devicespecification set of the client computing device 104 associated with thefirst user.

Although the present technology has been described in detail for thepurpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be themost practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understoodthat such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology isnot limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, isintended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that arewithin the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it isto be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to theextent possible, one or more features of any implementation can becombined with one or more features of any other implementation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system to provide recommendations to users ofan online application, wherein the users include a first user, whereinthe first user is associated with a first client computing device, thesystem comprising: one or more processors configured by machine-readableinstructions to: obtain first device specification information for thefirst client computing device, wherein the first device specificationinformation includes information regarding specifications of the firstclient computing device; determine a first recommendation for the firstuser based on the first device specification information, wherein thefirst recommendation pertains to an action within the onlineapplication; and effectuate a presentation, based on the firstrecommendation, to the first user.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein thefirst recommendation pertains to performing at least one of (i) interactwith specific content in the online application, (ii) purchase a virtualitem within the online application, and (iii) establish a relationshipwith one or more other users within the online application.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the first recommendation pertains toparticipating in one or more actions within the online application thatare suited to an interface of the first client computing device.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the first recommendation pertains toparticipating in one or more actions within the online application basedon at least one of (i) processing capabilities of the first clientcomputing device, and (ii) storage capabilities of the first clientcomputing device.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or moreprocessors are further configured by machine-readable instructions to:obtain second device specification information for a second clientcomputing device associated with the first user, wherein the seconddevice specification information includes information regardingspecifications of the second client computing device; determine a secondrecommendation for the first user based on the second devicespecification information, wherein the second recommendation pertains toa second action within the online application; and effectuate a secondpresentation, based on the second recommendation, to the first user. 6.The system of claim 5, wherein the first recommendation and the secondrecommendation include one or more offers to participate in one or moreactions within the online application that are suited to the first andsecond device specification information for the first client device andthe second client device, such that both the first client device andsecond client device may be used simultaneously when participating inthe one or more actions within the online application.
 7. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the first recommendation pertains to participating inparticular actions within the online application that are suited toinput capabilities of the first client computing device.
 8. The systemof claim 7, wherein the input capabilities of the first client computingdevice include a touch screen, such that the first recommendationpertains to participating in the particular actions within the onlineapplication that are suited to interactions by the first user throughthe touch screen.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the firstrecommendation is an offer to purchase one or more virtual items havingan associated cost to the first user.
 10. The system of claim 9, whereinthe associated cost is related to device specification information forclient computing devices associated with the users, such that theassociated cost to the first user for the offer to purchase the one ormore virtual items is related to the first device specificationinformation for the first client computing device associated with thefirst user.
 11. A method for providing recommendations to users of anonline application, wherein the users include a first user, wherein thefirst user is associated with a first client computing device, themethod being implemented on a computer system that includes one or morephysical processors configured by machine-readable instructions, themethod comprising: obtaining first device specification information forthe first client computing device, wherein the first devicespecification information includes information regarding specificationsof the first client computing device; determining a first recommendationfor the first user based on the first device specification information,wherein the first recommendation pertains to an action within the onlineapplication; and effectuate a presentation, based on the firstrecommendation, to the first user.
 12. The method of claim 11, whereinthe first recommendation pertains to performing at least one of (i)interact with specific content in the online application, (ii) purchasea virtual item within the online application, and (iii) establish arelationship with one or more other users within the online application.13. The method of claim 11, wherein the first recommendation pertains toparticipating in one or more actions within the online application thatare suited to an interface of the first client computing device.
 14. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the first recommendation pertains toparticipating in one or more actions within the online application basedon at least one of (i) processing capabilities of the first clientcomputing device, and (ii) storage capabilities of the first clientcomputing device.
 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:obtaining second device specification information for a second clientcomputing device associated with the first user, wherein the seconddevice specification information includes information regardingspecifications of the second client computing device; determining asecond recommendation for the first user based on the second devicespecification information, wherein the second recommendation pertains toa second action within the online application; and effectuating a secondpresentation, based on the second recommendation, to the first user. 16.The method of claim 15, wherein the first recommendation and the secondrecommendation include one or more offers to participate in one or moreactions within the online application that are suited to the first andsecond device specification information for the first client device andthe second client device, such that both the first client device andsecond client device may be used simultaneously when participating inthe one or more actions within the online application.
 17. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the first recommendation pertains to participating inparticular actions within the online application that are suited toinput capabilities of the first client computing device.
 18. The methodof claim 17, wherein the input capabilities of the first clientcomputing device include a touch screen, such that the firstrecommendation pertains to participating in the particular actionswithin the online application that are suited to interactions by thefirst user through the touch screen.
 19. The method of claim 11, whereinthe first recommendation is an offer to purchase one or more virtualitems having an associated cost to the first user.
 20. The method ofclaim 19, wherein the associated cost is related to device specificationinformation the client computing devices associated with the users, suchthat the associated cost to the first user for the offer to purchase theone or more virtual items is related to the first device specificationinformation for the first client computing device associated with thefirst user.